Clasp



July 4, 1933. A. D. STRAHM 1,916,540

CLASP Filed April 28, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l (If m w Mk A. D. STRAHM Juiy 4, i933.

CLASP 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 28 a How/M145 Patented July 4, 1933 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALLEN D. STBAHM, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO SNAPPIES, INC OF TULSA,

CI-ZLAHOMA, A CORPORATION F OKLAHOMA CLASP This invention relates to new and useful improvements in clasps.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved clasp wh ch may be used for 5 supporting garments or for engaging fabrics or in any other place where a clasp would be serviceable. r

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved clasp including, a' pair of cooperating clamp ng members connected to an actuating member which is associated with a cover plate, whereby a positive and effective clamping action is obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clasp having an ornamental cover member functioning as an operating medium forthe clasp and being removable, so that it may be transferred from one clasp to another, either when the other elements of the clasp are worn out or when desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clasp having cooperating clam'ping members and a cover plate functioning as an operating medium for said members, as well as a shield for substantially covering said members, thus enhancing the ornamental appearance of theclasp and also. covering the parts of the clasp to such an extent as to prevent. clothing and other articles catching 39 thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved clasp including, a pair of cooperating clamping members which are hinged together and pivotally connected with a supporting and actuating structure, the latter being arranged so as to open-and close the clamping members and to fasten said members in clamping position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clasp including, a pair of comparatively broad faced cooperating jaws or clamping members having softfrictional engaging surfaces, so as to receive a considrable area of fabric therebetween, whereby suiiicient threads are clamped between the jaws to prevent distortion of the fabric when the clasp is placed under a strain, or when the fabric is pulled in a direction away from the clasp.

A construction designed to carry out the 1932. Serial No. 607,986.

invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which an example of the inven- 7 tion is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a garter, having a clasp constructed in accordance with the invention and viewed from the rear,

Figure 2 is a reduced front View of the the same with the clamping members open,

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the clasp closed,

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing the various elements of the clasp,

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional View of still another form of clasp, embodying said invention and in its open position,

Figure 11 is a similar view of the clasp closed,

Figure 12 is an isometrical view of the hinged clamping member, and

Figure 13 is an isometrical View of the back member or jaw. v

In the drawings (Figures 1 to 5) the numeral 1O designates a clamping member hav ing a clamping jaw on one end,,and 11 designates a clamping or hinged member having a clamping jaw on one end. The clamping member 11 is hinged at its end remote from its jaw end to the clamping member 10 intermediate its ends. The end of the clamping member 10 remote from its aw end, is hinged to a hanger 12 which is-shown as U-shaped, but which may be of any suitable shape. A

yoke shaped link is pivotally connected at one end with the hanger12 and at the other end with the clamping member 11, and, with the hanger, constitutes a toggle joint for swin ing and locking the jaw ends of said clamping members together. A cover plate 1 is connected with the hanger and provides a lever for opening and closing the clasp. The parts enumerated constitute the main elements of the clasp.

In Figures 1 to 5 the clasp is shown as applied to a garter, but this is merely by way of illustration, and the invention is not to be limited to such use. In this particular embodiment a rounded lower end or clamping portion 15 is provided on the member 10, and this member is preferably made substantially flat throughout its length, except at its upper end, so as to be readily stamped or cut from a flat piece of metal.

The garter has the usual leg band A and depending tab B. The tab is provided at its lower end with a pocket C, and the lower end of the jaw is inserted in this pocket, which is long enough to securely hold the jaw in position on the tab. The lower end of the pocket is rounded to conform to the end of the jaw 10.

The hinged jaw 11 has a lower end 16 which is preferably but not necessarily complementary to the end 15, so as to co-act therewith in clamping the article to be held.

The jaw 11 is preferably made of a flat piece of metal, so as to be cut or stamped, and it is flat except at its upper end. It is obvious that the particular shapes of the aws 10 and 11 are subject to considerable variation and the invention is not dependent upon such shapes. Vulcanized rubber is applied to the outer surface of the lower end of the pocket C to form a pad 17, and this rubber may be applied merely to the outer side or carried over the edges of the pocket in any suitable manner. A similar covering, or strip of vulcanized rubber, is secured to the lower end 16 of jaw 11 to form a pad 18.

VJhen the clasp is closed, as is shown in Figure 5, the pads 17 and 18 will have their adjacent flat faces in intimate contact. These broad contacting faces will engage a sufliciont area of a delicate fabric to prevent injury to the threads thereof by pulling or distorting. It is to be distinctly understood that the pads may be eliminated and the clasp attached to a support in a manner other than by the pocket C, as will be hereinafter set forth.

The back jaw 10 has its upper portion cut out, so as to provide upstanding side bars 19. The upper end of each bar is bent or curved,

, so as to overhang the front side of the jaw and 1s formed wlth an outwardly directed trunnion 20. The outer ends of the trunnions are engaged in the upper apertures or openings 21 in the side flanges 22 of the hanger 12.

The bars are provided with inwardly projecting fingers 23 and inwardly extending pivot studs 24; all being made integral with the bars, extending into the space therebetween and lying in the plane thereof. The

upper end to form a rearwardly inclined loop 25 and an eye 26. The loop is engaged around the studs 24, whereby the jaw 11 is hinged upon a fixed pivotal axis to the jaw 10 intermediate the ends of the latter. The inclined loop permits the adjacent faces of the jaws to lie substantially parallel when said jaws are closed, as is shown in Figure 5. The fingers are utilized for stitching the back jaw 10 to the tab B of the garter, but may be omitted.

The toggle link 13 is provided at its upper end with outwardly directed trunnions 27 which are arranged to engage as pivots in apertures or openings 28 at the lower ends of the flanges 22 of the hanger-lever adjacent to the hinged end thereof. The lower end of the link straddles the loop 25 and has inwardly extending trunnions 29 engaging as pivots in the eye 26 of the loop adjacent the hinged end of the clamping member 11. When the hanger 12 is swung on the trunnions 20 of the back member, it will swing the toggle link which, in turn, will swing and lock the jaw 11 against the jaw 10. As.

the hanger is swung outwardly, the link is lifted, whereby the jaw 11 is swung outwardly, and the clasp opened.

The clasp is shown in its open position in Figure 4 and in its closed position in Figure 5. It is obvious that any suitable means may be employed for swinging the hanger, provided the hanger is attached. thereto. One of the features of the invention is the removable cover plate 14. This plate is made slightly longer than the back jaw 10 and wider than both jaws, so as to cover the parts and to substantially conceal the same when the clasp is closed. The plate is preferably given the general shape of the clasp withits lower end rounded to conform to the lower ends 15 and 16 of the jaws. The plate may be dished, as is shown, so that its edges will overhang the jaws. At the upper end the plate is provided on each side with recessed flanges 30 of such proportions as to snugly receive the flanges 22 of the hanger 12. The flanges 22 have enough spring to frictionally engage in the recessed flanges 30 and can be slid therein-to.

The cover plate 14 constitutes an operating lever or member for swinging the hanger 12, and the link 13 provides an actuating member for swinging the aw 11. The cover plate 14 may be made of precious metal or ornamented if desired, so as to constitute a permanent element.

When the jaws and the other parts become worn out, or if replacement is desired for any other reason, the hanger 12 may be driven from its position between the flange 30, and the cover plate thereby removed. The cover plate may be used on a new set of parts, as is obvious. It it, of course, within the scope of the invention to secure the cover plate to the hanger and to eliminate the removable feature. It is to be understood that the hanger 12 eonstitutes a connection. between the cover plate and the back jaw and link, whereby the pivots of the back jaw and the link are positively connected with the cover plate, which latter acts as an actuating member as well as a cover.

In Figures 1 and 2 the clasp is shown connected with a garter, as has been previously. mentioned. In this illustration the tab B is provided with a keeper plate 31 which may be stitched between the folds B and B The strap of the garter is provided with a T-shaped head 32 for engaging in a slot 33 in the plate. The metal parts are arranged so as not to contact with the body of the wearer. It is to be understood that neither the garter nor the fastening therefor form any part of the invention, and such parts have been described merely to explain an application of the clasp. The clasp hasbeen found to be useful in connection with garters, garment supports and hangers of different kinds.

It is obvious that the jaws must maintain their clamping relation when brought together, so as not to be unintentionally displaced from each other or opened. When the plate 14 is swung to close the jaws, the pads 17 and 18 will. engage and clamp the article before the plate completes its swinging movement. At the point where the jaw 11 ceases to swing, the trunnions 29-become the fulcrum points, so that upon continued swinging the upper toggle trunnions 27 are carried inwardly toward the bars 19 of the back jaw 10. As the plate completes. its swing, the toggle trunnions 27 are carried rearwardly, or inwardly, toward the bars from a position forward 'to a position rearward of a plane extending from the trunnions '29 to the trunnions 20. This gives a snap action, and the trunnions 27 being swung inwardly past the said plane, from a position on one side to a position at the other side of said plane, constitute a lock which prevents accidental opening of the clasp. The metal parts, of course, must have sufficient resiliency to permit this operation.

As a further eXemplification of the invention, I have shown another form of structure in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive. In this form the back jaw is similar to the jaw 10in that it is substantially flat throughout its length. Instead of the rounded lower end 15, a transversely corrugated or crimped end is provided, and on the lower end of the member a transverse loop 40 is formed. The member has upright sidebars 19 which are formed with eyes 41 in place of the trunnions 20. V The bars 19 have studs 24 located about the same as studs 24.

In this form the hanger 12" is made of a flat bar of metal bent into a U-shape. A'

transverse pin 42 is mounted in the hanger, and the eyes 41 are hinged on this pin within said hanger. The hanger has apertures 43 at its lower end for receiving the outwardly bent trunnions 44 of a yoke-shaped link 13. This link has its shank hinged in the eye 26' of the hinged jaw 11. However, the eye 26' is turned outwardly, instead of inwardly, as in Figure 3.

The aw 11 has its upper portion curved and bent upon itself to form a loop 25 which is hinged on the studs 24. The curved portion of the jaw permits an accumulation of fabric when the clasp is closed. The jaw has a rectangular pad plate 45 secured to its lower end, and this plate has a facing, or

v pad, 46 composed of transversely corrugated material, such as rubber. The adjacent face of the portion 15 of the back jaw has a pad, or facing, 47 of thin rubber which conforms to the corrugations thereof. Fabrics clamped between the pads 46 and 47 will be firmly held but not injured. The cover plate 14 is given a different shape from the plate 14 and is provided with channeled side flanges 48. A channeled top flange 49 extends across the upper end of the plate, and the hanger 12 issnugly received in these flanges.

The hanger has apertures 50 on each side registering with apertures 51 at the upper ends of the side flanges 48. A wire loop. 52 is bent upon itself to form hooks 53, and the bills of these hooks are inserted in the apertures 50 and 51, whereby the clasp is suspended. Vhen it is desired to remove the cover plate, it is merely necessary to spring the hooksout of the apertures. A protecting band of tape may be connected in the loop 40 and in the lower ends of the loop 52, as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 8. The loop 52 is connected with the garment supporter in the usual manner. The bars 19 may be provided with short fingers23, and these act as stops, being engaged by the eye 26' when the clasp is swung to its open position. In Figures 10, 11 and 12 I have illustrated another form of clasp which embodies the invention, and which is similar to the form shown in Figures 6 to 9, except that trunnions 2O are provided on the bars 19 instead of the eyes 41 and the pin 42. The

back member 10 has a transverse loop at its lower end, and the corrugated portion 15 is omitted. The hinged jaw 11 is similar to that shown in Figure 9, except that it has a transverse head 61 on its lower end provided with inwardly bent teeth 62, adapted to enter the loop when the clasp is closed. This clasp is designed for clamping fabrics and assuring that the latter will not slip from the clasp when clamped. It is pointed out that the last two forms which have been described are so arranged that the hinged jaws will open to a wider angle than the first form shown in Figure 4:.

This application is filed as a continuation in part of my co-pending application filed October 19, 1929, Serial Number 400,988.

lhe description which has been given, recites more or less detail of a particular embodiment ofthe invention, which is set forth l. A clasp comprising, a back jaw, a clamping jaw hinged to the back aw, a hanger hinged to the upper portion of the back aw, a

linkpivotally connecting the hanger and the clamping jaw, and a removable cover plate having means for detachably and rigidly connecting it with the hanger, whereby the hanger is swung when the plate is swung.

2. A clasp comprising, a pair of hinged clamping jaws, an actuator for swinging one of the jaws, a connecting element between one of the jaws and the actuator, and a cover member having frictional engagement with the connecting element, whereby it is removable therefrom, said cover member constituting a lever for operating the actuator.

3. A clasp comprising, a pair of hinged clamping aws, a hanger connected with the jaws for supporting and operating said aws 7 to open and close them, and a lever having means at one end for receiving and frictionally and rigidly holding thereto the hanger and for swinging said hanger to operate the jaws.

4. A clasp comprising, a back jaw, a hanger having side flanges, the upper end of the back jaw being hinged to the side flanges of the hanger, a clamping jaw hinged to the back jaw, a link having one end hinged to the clamping jaw and its other end hinged to the side flanges of the hanger, and an operating member having side flanges frictionally re ceiving the side flanges of the hanger.

5. A clasp comprising, a back jaw, a hanger having side flanges, the upper end of the back aw being hinged to the side flanges of the hanger, a clamping hinged to the back jaw, a link having one end hinged to the clamping jaw and its other end hinged to the side flanges of the hanger, an operating member having side flanges frictionally receiving the side flanges of the hanger, and a suspending member having pivot elements engaging the upper end of the operating member.

6. A .clasp comprising, a back jaw, a clamping jaw hinged to the back jaw, a hanger hinged to the upper portion of the back jaw, a link pivotally connecting the hanger and the clamping jaw, means for swinging the hanger on the back jaw to actuate the link for swinging the clamping jaw, a transverse loop on the lower end of one jaw, and a plurality of teeth on the other jaw coacting with the loop to grasp an article.

7 A clasp comprising, two relatively flat clamping members, one hinged tothe other between the ends thereof, a link carried by one of the hinged members between its ends, an actuator connected to the link and to the other member, and a removable cover plate carried by the actuator.

8. A clasp comprising, two relatively flat jaw members, one of said jaw members having longitudinally projecting side bars, the other jaw member pivoted between the said bars, a link carried between the ends of the movable jaw member, an actuating member pivoted to the link and to the end of the first named jaw members, and a plate carried by the actuating member co-extensive with the jaw members.

9. A clasp comprising, two relatively flat jaw members, one of said jaw members having longitudinally projecting side bars, the other jaw member pivoted between the side bars, a link carried between the ends of the pivoted jaw member, an actuating member pivoted to the link and to the end of the first named jaw member, and a plate carried by the actuating member coo-extensive with the jaw members, said plate being removably secured to the actuating member.

10. A clasp comprising, a back jaw including a lower clamping end and upright side bars having pivots at their upper ends, studs carried by the side bars, a clampingj aw having a lower clamping end and loop at its upper end provided with an eye, the loop being hinged on the studs, a hanger having side flanges, the pivots of the side bars engaging in said flanges, a link pivoted to the hanger and engaging the eye of the clamping jaw, and a cover plate extending longitudinally and transversely over the jaws for concealing the same and rigidly attached to the hanger.

11. A clasp comprising, a back jaw having a clamping member at its lower end, a clamping jaw lying entirely in front of the back jaw and having a clamping member at its lower end coacting with the clamping member of the back jaw, the upper end of the clamping jaw being hinged to the intermediate portion of the back jaw, a hang-er hinged to the upper end of the back jaw, a

link pivotally connecting the hanger and the clamping jaw, and means connected. with the hanger for swinging the latter on the back jaw to actuate the link and swing the clamping aw, the link lying in close proximity to the back j aw and also'extending downwardly thereof when the clasp is closed.

12. A clasp comprising, a pairof hinged clamping jaws, one of which is shaped to liev substantially fiat against a surface, a hanger connected with the jaws for supporting and also operating them to open and close said jaws, and a lever rigidly attached to the hanger and overlying the jaws for swinging the hanger.

18. A clasp comprising, two relatively flat jaw members pivotally connected and free at their lower ends to swing away from each other, means carried by one of the jaw members for swinging the other jaw member outwardly, and a lever plate removably attached to said means and covering said means, as well as being co-extensive with said clasp.

14:. A clasp comprising, an elongated back jaw having a clamping member at its lower end, a clamping jaw lying entirely in front of the back jaw and having a clamping member at its lower end co-acting with the clamping member of the back jaw, meanscarried by the jaws for swinging the clamping jaw from the back jaw to actuate the clamping members, and a lever plate rigidly attached to the swinging means and of such area as to cover the jaws and their clamping members longitudinally and transversely, the jaw members and the plate lying substantially in parallel relation when the clasp is closed.

15. A clasp comprising, a back jaw having a clamping member at its lower end, a clamping jaw lying entirely in front of the back aw and having a clamping member at its lower end co-acting with the clamping member of the back jaw, the upper end of the clamping jaw being hinged to the intermediate portion of the back jaw, an actuating member having side flanges at its upper end to which the upper end of the back jaw is pivoted, the actuating member being co-extensive with the back jaw and overlying the clamping jaw, and a link having pivotal connection at its upper end with the flanges of the actuating member and also being pivoted to the upper end of the clamping jaw adjacent the hinge of said clamping J 16'. A clasp comprising, a back jaw having a clamping member at its lower end, a clamping jaw lying in front of the back jaw and having a clamping member at its lower end co-acting with the clamping member of the back jaw, the upper end of the clamping jaw being hinged to the intermediate portion of the back jaw and held against movement longitudinally thereof, an actuating 'member'overlying and covering the clamping jaw" and pivotally connected at its upper end with the upper end of the back jaw, ands-a link having its upper end pivotally connected with the actu ating member adjacent the pivotal connection of the back jaw and itslower end pivotally connected with the upper end of the clamping aw.

17. A clasp comprising, a back jaw having a clamping member at its lower end, a clamping jaw lying in front of the backjaw and having a clamping member at its lower end co-acting with the clamping member of the back jaw, the upper end of the clamping jaw being hinged to the intermediate portion of the back aw, a link having its lower end pivoted to the upper end of the clamping jaw and extending upwardly co-extensively of the back jaw, and a cover member having hinged connection at its upper end at adjacent points with the upper end of the the jaws and overlying and covering their 3 clamping members, whereby the clasp when closed is provide-d with a continuous cover extending from its top to its bottom.

18. A clasp comprising, a back jaw having a clamping member at its lower end carrying a flexible pad, a clamping jaw lying in front of the back jaw and having a flexible clamping pad at its lower end co-acting with the flexible pad of the back jaw, the upper end of the clamping jaw being hinged to the intermediate portion of the back aw, an actuating member having side flanges at its upper end to which the upper end of the back jaw is pivoted, the actuating member being co-extensive with the'jaws and covering the adjacent the hinge of said clamping jaw, and l means for supporting the clasp.

19. A clasp 7 comprising two clamping members each having a clamping jaw on one end, one member hinged at its end remote from its jaw end to the other member upon a fixed pivotal axis located intermediate the ends of the other member, a lever hinged to the end of the other member remote from its jaw end, and a connecting link pivoted at its ends to the one member and to the lever, respectively adjacent tothe hinged ends there of, and forming wtih the lever a toggle for operating and locking the one hinged clamp- 7 from, its jaw end to the other member upon afixed pivotal axis located intermediate the the clasp is open and said pivot being positioned at the other side of suchv a plane when the clasp is closed, for operating and locking the one hinged clamping member upon the other clamping member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALLEN D. STRAHM. 

